UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 28, 2008
MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Pennsylvania | 1-15579 | 25-0668780 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 121 Gamma Drive RIDC Industrial Park O’Hara Township Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 15238 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (412) 967-3000
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2):
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act |
| Item 5.03. | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On February 28, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company amended the Bylaws of the Company, principally to permit the Chairman of the Board of the Company to be a person other than an executive officer of the Company. Under the Bylaws as they existed prior to the amendment, the Chairman of the Board was required to be an executive officer of the Company. Certain changes were made in Article III, entitled “Officers and Employees”, and in other sections of the Bylaws to effectuate this amendment. The powers and duties which had previously been exercised under the Bylaws by the Chairman of the Board are now assigned to the President.
In addition, Section 2.01(d) of the Bylaws was amended to provide that if a vacancy in the Board of Directors is filled by the majority vote of the disinterested directors, then any director that is so elected will be required to stand for re-election at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders. A copy of the Company’s amended Bylaws is filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1.
| Item 5.05. | Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics. |
On February 28, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company made certain changes to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company. The principal changes to the Code were to clarify and reinforce the Company’s policy concerning the “appearance of impropriety” on the part of employees regarding ethical violations. Section A.7 of the Code, “Appearance of Impropriety,” was changed to require employees to seek approval from appropriate persons at the Company if a contemplated action might create the appearance of impropriety. In addition, language was added to that section and to Section B.1 of the Code, “Freedom from Constraints”, to clarify that employees must not engage in activities or transactions with the Company or otherwise that would improperly benefit the employee’s self interest (financial or otherwise) when the activity may be detrimental to the Company.
In addition, a new Section B.10 to the Code, “Insider Trading,” was added to apply along with the Company’s insider trading policy to all employees to prohibit trading in Company securities while in possession of material inside information and the “tipping” of others to such information.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith:
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Bylaws of the Company as amended to February 28, 2008. | |
| 14.1 | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company as amended to February 28, 2008. | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY | ||
| (Registrant) | ||
| By | /s/ Douglas K. McClaine | |
| Douglas K. McClaine | ||
| Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | ||
Date: March 5, 2008
Exhibit 3.1
MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
(A Pennsylvania Corporation)
By-Laws
As Amended to February 28, 2008*
* * * * * *
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.01. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held each year within five months after the end of the fiscal year of the Company on such day and at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors, or if not designated on the third Wednesday of April in each year if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday then on the next business day following, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., local time, at the principal office of the Company.
| * | Note: References in the By-Laws to the “Restated Articles” are to the Articles of the Corporation as amended by resolutions adopted at the Annual Meeting of shareholders on May 23, 1986, and as they may be thereafter amended or supplemented. Section references in brackets are to specific provisions of the Restated Articles, and indicate that the preceding provision is taken substantially verbatim from the Restated Articles; and capitalized terms are used as those terms are defined in the Restated Articles. |
Section 1.02. Business at Annual Meetings.
(a) Business Agenda. The business at an annual meeting of shareholders shall include: (i) a review of the business of the preceding year; (ii) the election of directors to succeed those whose terms shall expire; (iii) the selection of auditors; and (iv) such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting as provided in this Section 1.02. If for any reason the annual meeting is not held at the time fixed therefor, the election of directors may be held at a subsequent meeting called for that purpose.
(b) Notice of Business to be Presented. The proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders may be made (i) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any shareholder of the Company who was a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, such business must be a proper matter for shareholder action, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company and such notice must comply with the following requirements:
(1) To be timely, a shareholder’s notice given pursuant to this Section must be received at the principal executive offices of the Company, addressed to the Secretary, not less than 120 calendar days before the anniversary date of the Company’s proxy statement released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting or, if none, its most recent previous annual meeting. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the date of the annual meeting at which such business is to be presented has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of the most recent previous annual meeting, a
shareholder’s notice shall be considered timely if so received by the Company (A) on or before the later of (x) 150 calendar days before the date of the annual meeting at which such business is to be presented or (y) 30 days following the first public announcement by the Company of the date of such annual meeting and (B) not later than 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled mailing date of the Company’s proxy materials for such annual meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.
(2) A shareholder’s notice given pursuant to this Section shall set forth (A) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the proposal and the classes and numbers of shares of the Company’s stock beneficially owned by such shareholder; (B) a representation that the shareholder is and will at the time of the annual meeting be a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting on the proposal(s) specified in the notice and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present such proposal(s), (C) a description of the business the shareholder intends to bring before the meeting, including the text of any proposal or proposals to be presented for action by the shareholders, (D) the name and address of any beneficial owner(s) of the Company’s stock on whose behalf such business is to be presented and the class and number of shares beneficially owned by each such beneficial owner and (E) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder or any such beneficial owner.
(c) General. (i) Only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section, and only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in
Section 1.04. The Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether any business proposed to be brought before a meeting was proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in those Sections and, if any business is not in compliance with those Sections, to declare that such defective proposal shall be disregarded.
(ii) For purposes of this Section, (A) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and (B) “beneficial ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to affect any rights of a shareholder to request inclusion of a proposal in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule, or to present for action at an annual meeting any proposal so included. [Amended by the Board of Directors 3/13/01.]
Section 1.03. Special Meetings. Except as other-wise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock with respect to any vote of the holders of such class or series when voting by class, special meetings of shareholders of the Company may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as that term is defined in the Restated Articles). [Restated Articles Section 12.03] Special meetings shall be held at such place as may be designated by the Board of Directors, or if not so designated, at the principal office of the Company.
Section 1.04. Business at Special Meetings. No business may be transacted at any special meeting of shareholders other than that the general nature of which has been stated in the notice of meeting, and business which is incidental or germane thereto.
Section 1.05. Notice of Shareholders’ Meetings. Written notice specifying the place, date and time of each meeting of the shareholders and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be given to all shareholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting at least ten days before the day named for the meeting.
Section 1.06. Quorum; Organization. A shareholders’ meeting duly called shall not be organized for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. At any meeting the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast on the particular matter shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the purpose of considering such matter. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a majority. If a meeting cannot be organized because a quorum has not attended, those present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum as aforesaid shall be present; and in the case of any meeting called for the election of directors, such meeting may be adjourned only from day to day, or for such longer periods not exceeding fifteen days each, as may be directed by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy, and those who attend the second of such meetings, although entitled to cast less than a majority of the votes which all outstanding shares are entitled to cast, shall nevertheless constitute
a quorum for the purpose of electing directors. The Chairman, or in his or her absence, the President, shall preside, and the Secretary shall take the minutes, at all meetings of the shareholders. In the absence of the foregoing officers the presiding officer shall be designated by the Board of Directors or if not so designated selected by the shareholders present; and in the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer shall designate any person to take the minutes of the meeting.
Section 1.07. Vote Required; Meeting Procedure. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of shareholders present, in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders present and voting (excluding abstentions) are entitled to cast on the particular matter shall decide any question brought before such meeting, except that (a) if the question is one upon which, by express provision of statute or of the Restated Articles, a different or additional vote is required, such express provision shall govern, (b) all elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and (c) in the case of privileged, subsidiary or incidental motions or questions involving the convenience of the shareholders present, the Chairman may call for a per capita vote, either by voice or by show of hands. Elections for directors need not be by ballot, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer at the meeting or unless a demand is made by a shareholder at the meeting and before the voting begins. The chairman of any meeting shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the conduct of discussion as seems to him or her in order. The conduct of meetings shall be governed by accepted corporate practice, the fundamental rule being that all who are entitled to take part shall be treated with fairness and good faith.
Section 1.08. Proxies; Appointment and Revocation. Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons, but not more than three, to act for him or her by proxy. Every proxy shall be appointed by an instrument in writing (including electronic mail or similar transmission), executed
by such shareholder or by his or her authorized attorney, and filed with the Secretary of the Company. A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the proxy is exercised, written notice of such death or incapacity is given to the Secretary of the Company.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 2.01. Number, Election, etc.
(a) Number. The whole Board of Directors shall consist of such number of persons, not less than 5 nor more than 15, as may from time to time be determined by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors then in office. [Restated Articles Section 10.1(a)]
(b) Classes; Election and Terms. Beginning with the Board of Directors to be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 1986, the directors shall be classified in respect of the time for which they shall severally hold office by dividing them into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible. If the classes of directors are not equal, the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors then in office shall determine which class shall contain an unequal number of directors. At the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 1986, separate elections shall be held for the directors of each class, the term of office of directors of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting after their election; the term of office of the directors of the second class to expire at the second annual meeting after their election; and the term of office of the directors of the third class to expire at the third annual meeting after their election. At each succeeding annual meeting, the shareholders shall elect directors of the class whose term then expires, to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting. Each director shall hold office for the term for which elected and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify. [Restated Articles Section 10.1(b)]
(c) Removal of Directors. The shareholders may remove a director or directors from office at any time only for cause and only if, in addition to any vote required by any other provision of law, the Articles or the By-Laws of the Company, such removal is approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Voting Power of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the Company which are not Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person [Restated Articles Section 10.1(c)]
(d) Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled only by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, except as otherwise required by law. All directors elected to fill vacancies shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such director who is so elected shall stand for re-election at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of an incumbent director. [Restated Articles Section 10.1(d)] [Amended by the Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
(e) Nomination of Director Candidates. Nominations for the election of directors may be made only by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or by any holder of record of stock entitled to vote in the election of the directors to be elected; but a nomination may be made by a shareholder only if written notice of such nomination has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage pre- paid, to the Secretary of the Company not later than 90 days in advance of the meeting at which the election is to be held. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the
shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the share- holder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been nominated by the Board of Directors; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected. [Restated Articles Section 10.1(e)]
(f) Exception for Directors Elected by Preferred Stock. Whenever the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock of the Company as to dividends or assets shall have the right, voting separately as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Company, none of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.01 shall apply with respect to the director or directors elected by such holders of preferred stock. [Restated Articles Section 10.1(f)]
(g) In case of a vacancy in the office of any director elected by the preferred stock, the remaining directors or director elected by the preferred stock may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.
(h) Each director shall hold office from the time of his or her election, but shall be responsible as a director from such time only if he or she consents to his or her election; otherwise from the time he or she accepts office or attends his or her first meeting of the Board.
(i) The membership and operation of the Board of Directors and its Committees shall comply with the requirements of applicable law and the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock of the Company may be listed. [Amended by the Board of Directors 10-26-04.]
Section 2.02. Organization Meeting; Notice. An organization meeting of the newly elected Board of Directors shall be held each year promptly after the annual meeting of shareholders at a place designated by the Chairman or the President. At such meeting the Board of Directors shall organize itself and elect the executive officers of the Company and members of standing Committees for the ensuing year, and may transact any other business. Notice of the organization meeting of the Board or of the business to be transacted thereat shall not be required to be given, except as otherwise expressly required herein or by law.
Section 2.03. Regular Meetings; Notice. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time, or if not so designated, as determined by the Chairman or the President. Notice of such regular meetings of the Board shall not be required to be given, except as otherwise expressly required herein or by law, except that whenever the time or place of regular meetings shall be initially fixed or changed, notice of such action shall be given promptly by telephone or otherwise to each director not participating in such action. Any business may be transacted at any regular meeting.
Section 2.04. Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the Board itself by vote at a meeting, or by any three directors, or by the Chairman or the President, to be held at such place and day and hour as shall be specified by the person or persons calling the meeting, or if not so specified by the Secretary. Notice of every special meeting of the Board of Directors, which states the place, day and hour thereof, shall be given to each director either by being mailed on at least the second calendar day prior to the date of the meeting, or by
being sent by electronic mail or given personally or by telephone prior to the date of the meeting. Neither the call of a special meeting nor the notice thereof need specify the purpose thereof nor the business to be transacted thereat, except as otherwise expressly required herein or by law. [Amended by the Board of Directors 10-26-04.]
Section 2.05. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence or participation by other lawful means of a majority of the directors in office shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Directors present at a duly organized meeting shall continue to constitute a quorum until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Directors to leave less than a majority, provided that a minimum of three Directors remain. If a quorum is not present at any meeting, the meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the directors present, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum as aforesaid shall be present.
Section 2.06. Action. Resolutions of the Board shall be adopted, and any action of the Board at a meeting upon any matter shall be taken and be valid, with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly organized, except as otherwise provided herein, in the Restated Articles or by law. The Chairman, or in his or her absence the President, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall take the minutes at all meetings of the Board. In the absence of the foregoing officers the Directors present shall select a member of the Board to preside; and in the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer shall designate any person to take the minutes of the meeting. The yeas and nays shall be taken and recorded in the minutes at the request of any director present at a meeting.
Section 2.07. Participation Other Than By Attendance. One or more of the Directors may participate in any regular or special meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear
each other, or by any other lawful means in lieu of attendance, any may act by proxy to the extent at the time permitted by law. All directors so participating shall be deemed present at the meeting.
Section 2.08. Emergency Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Articles or these By-Laws, during any emergency period caused by war or any other national catastrophe or local disaster of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the business and affairs of the Company by its Board of Directors and officers as contemplated by the other provisions of these By-Laws, a majority of the available Directors (or the sole such Director) who have not been rendered incapable of acting because of incapacity or the difficulty of communication or transportation to the place of meeting shall constitute a quorum for the sole purpose of electing Directors to fill such vacancies or to reduce the size of the full Board or both; and a majority of the directors (or the sole survivor) present at such a meeting may take such action. Directors so elected shall serve until the absent Directors are able to attend meetings or until the shareholders act to elect Directors to succeed them. During such an emergency period, if both the Board and the Executive Committee are unable or fail to meet, any action appropriate to the circumstances may be taken by such officers of the Company as may be present and able. Questions as to the existence of a national catastrophe or local disaster and the number of surviving members capable of acting shall be conclusively determined at the time by the Directors or the officers so acting.
Section 2.09. Presumption of Assent. Minutes of each meeting of the Board shall be made available to each director at or before the next succeeding regular meeting. Every director shall be presumed to have assented to such minutes unless his or her objection thereto shall be made to the Secretary within two days after such next regular meeting.
Section 2.10. Resignations. Any director may resign by submitting to the Chairman of the Board or the President his or her resignation, which (unless otherwise specified therein) need not be accepted to make it effective and shall be effective immediately upon its receipt by such officer.
Section 2.11. Committees.
(a) Appointments; Powers. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) pertaining to the Executive Committee, standing or temporary committees shall consist of one or more Directors of the Company as the Board may direct and may be appointed from time to time by a majority of the Directors present or participating at any regular or special meeting. The Board may from time to time invest committees with such power and authority, subject to such conditions as it may see fit, except that no committee shall have any power or authority to adopt, amend or repeal any By-Law.
(b) Executive Committee. An Executive Committee of three or more directors may be appointed by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors in office; it shall have all the powers and exercise all of the authority of the Board during intervals between meetings, except as specially limited by the Board. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called at any time by any member, to be held at such place and day and hour as shall be specified by the person or persons calling the meeting, or if not so specified by the Secretary. Notice of every meeting of the Executive Committee, which states the place, day and hour thereof, but need not state the purposes thereof, shall be given to each member either by being mailed on at least the second calendar day prior to the date of the meeting, or by being sent by electronic mail or given personally or by telephone prior to the date of the meeting. The presence or participation by other lawful means of a majority of the members of the Committee shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and any action of the Committee upon any matter shall be taken and be valid with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members of the Committee. The Executive
Committee shall keep a record of all action taken and report such action to the Board of Directors at its next meeting thereafter. [Amended by the Board of Directors 10–26–04.]
(c) Term; Vacancies; Absence or Disqualification. All committee members appointed by the Board shall serve during the pleasure of the Board, which may fill vacancies and may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, to take the place of any absent or disqualified member at any meeting. In the absence or disqualification of any member or alternate member of any committee or committees, the member or members thereof participating at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another Director to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member or alternate member.
(d) Organization; Finality of Action. All committees shall keep such record of the transactions of their meetings as the Board or these By-Laws shall direct. All committees shall determine their own organization, procedures, and times and places of meeting, unless other- wise directed by the Board and except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws. Any action taken by any committee shall be subject to alteration or revocation by the Board; provided, however, that third parties shall not be prejudiced by such alteration or revocation.
Section 2.12. Compensation. By resolution of the Board, Directors may be paid a fixed sum and expenses, if any, of attendance for any regular or special meeting of the Board or any committee, and may in addition be paid an annual retainer fee or a retirement allowance, or both. Directors shall also be entitled to receive such compensation for services rendered to the Company as officers, committee members, or in any capacity other than as directors, as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Board. [Amended by Board of Directors 12-17-87.]
ARTICLE III
Officers and Employees
Section 3.01. Officers. The Board of Directors shall elect a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and one or more Vice Presidents as officers of the Company. All such officers shall have such authority as is set forth in the Bylaws and as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board. The officers shall be natural persons of full age, and may, but not need be, shareholders of the Company. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except that the same person shall not be President and Secretary. Each officer shall hold office at the discretion of the Board until the next succeeding annual meeting of the Board of Directors and thereafter until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. The Board may authorize the Company to enter into employment contracts and/or consulting agreements with any officer for such periods as may be deemed appropriate including periods longer than one year, and the provision herein for annual election shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of officers under such contracts. [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08]
Section 3.02. Additional and Assistant Officers, Agents and Employees. The Board of Directors, the Chairman and the President each may from time to time appoint or hire one or more other officers, assistant officers, agents, employees and independent contractors as are deemed advisable; and the Board of Directors, the Chairman or the President may prescribe their duties, conditions of employment and compensation and may dismiss them without prejudice to their contract rights, if any. [Amended by Board of Directors 8-29-90.]
Section 3.03. The Chairman of the Board. If there shall be a Chairman of the Board, he or she shall be elected from among the Directors, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the Shareholders, and shall have such other powers and duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board. The Chairman
may be, but not need be, elected as an officer of the Company, as determined by the Board of Directors. [Amended by Board of Directors 10-26-04.] [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 3.04. The President. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He or she shall exercise the powers and perform duties usual to the Chief Executive Officer and, subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors, shall have management and supervision over and exercise general executive powers concerning all the property, business and affairs of the Company. He or she shall see that all policies, programs, orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect, and shall have such other powers and duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or these By-Laws. He or she shall have the power to execute deeds, bonds, mortgages, and other contracts, agreements and instruments of the Company. He or she shall be, ex officio, a member of all standing committees of the Board except the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. [Amended by Board of Directors 6-27-90.] [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 3.05. The Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents, one or more of whom may be designated executive, senior, group or administrative vice president, or given other descriptive title, shall have such powers and perform such duties in such capacities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the President. [Amended by Board of Directors 6-27-90.] [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 3.06. The Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) be custodian of the Company’s contracts, policies, leases, deeds and other indicia of title, and all other business records; (b) keep or cause to be kept at the registered office or the principal place of business of the Company an original or duplicate record of the proceedings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors, and a copy of the Articles of the Company
and of these By-Laws; (c) attend to the giving of notices of the Company as may be required by law or these By-Laws; (d) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Company and see that the seal is affixed to such documents as may be necessary or advisable; (e) have charge of and keep at the registered office or the principal place of business of the Company, or cause to be kept at the office of a transfer agent or registrar an original or duplicate share register, giving the names of the shareholders in alphabetical order, and showing their respective addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for the shares, and the date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation; and (f) have such powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. [Amended by Board of Directors 8-29-90.] [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 3.07. The Vice President - Finance. If a Vice President—Finance is elected by the Board of Directors, he or she (a) shall serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer; (b) shall, subject to the approval of the President, recommend financing, investing, borrowing, tax and insurance for the Company; (c) shall be responsible for the preparation of consolidated financial statements required by the Board of Directors or the President; (d) shall see that the lists, books, reports, statements, tax returns, certificates and other documents and records required by law are properly prepared, completed and filed; and (e) shall have such other powers and duties in such capacities as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. If the Board does not elect a Vice President—Finance, the powers and duties herein set forth shall be exercised by the Treasurer. [Amended by Board of Directors 8-29-90.] [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 3.08. The Treasurer. The Treasurer (a) shall have powers and perform such duties in such capacities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Vice President - Finance in the development of financing, investing and borrowing policies, and shall administer these policies; (b) shall have charge and custody of and
be responsible for the corporate funds, securities and investments; (c) shall receive, endorse for collection, and give receipts for checks notes, obligations, funds and securities of the Company, and deposit monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as shall be designated by the Board of Directors; (d) subject to the provisions of Section 5.01 of the By-Laws, shall cause to be disbursed the funds of the Company by payment in cash or by checks or drafts upon the authorized depositories of the Company, and cause to be taken and preserved proper vouchers and receipts for such disbursements; (e) shall coordinate financing of the Company’s international subsidiaries; and (f) shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Vice President—Finance. [Amended by Board of Directors 8-29-90.]
Section 3.09. Delegation of Duties. In case of the absence of any officer of the Company, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the Board of Directors may delegate for the time being the powers and duties, or any of them, of any officer to any other officer or director or other person whom it may select.
ARTICLE IV
Shares of Capital Stock
Section 4.01. Uncertificated Shares of Stock; Share Certificates. The Board of Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any or all classes and series of shares of capital stock of the Company shall be issued in uncertificated form pursuant to customary arrangements for issuing shares in such uncertificated form. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares then represented by a certificate, until such certificate is surrendered to the Company. Any certificates for shares of any class or series of capital stock shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, shall be signed (in facsimile or otherwise, as permitted by law) by the Chairman (if an officer of the Company), the President or a Vice President and by the
Secretary or the Treasurer and shall represent and certify the number of shares of stock owned by such holder. The Board may authorize the issuance of certificates for fractional shares or, in lieu thereof, scrip or other evidence of ownership, which may (or may not) as determined by the Board entitle the holder thereof to voting, dividend or other rights of shareholders. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Company shall cause to be sent to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to applicable law. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of shares represented by certificates and the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares of the same class and series shall be identical. [Amended by the Board of Directors 5/10/07.] [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 4.02. Transfer of Shares. Transfers of uncertificated shares of stock of the Company shall be made on the books of the Company only by the registered shareholder thereof in person or by attorney upon proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer in accordance with customary procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form. Transfers of certificated shares of stock of the Company shall be made on the books of the Company only upon surrender to the Company for cancellation of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed, by the registered shareholder or by his or her assignee, agent or legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, or by the agent of one or the foregoing thereunto duly authorized by an instrument duly executed and filed with the Company in accordance with regular commercial practice. [Amended by the Board of Directors 5/10/07.]
Section 4.03. Replacement of Certificates. New certificates for shares of stock, or shares of stock in uncertificated form, may be issued to replace certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated upon such terms and conditions, including an affidavit of loss or destruction and the giving of a satisfactory bond of indemnity, as the Board of Directors from time to time may determine. [Amended by the Board of Directors 5/10/07.]
Section 4.04. Regulations Relating to Shares. The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations not inconsistent with these By-Laws as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificated or uncertificated shares of the Company. [Amended by the Board of Directors 5/10/07.]
Section 4.05. Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of shareholders for any purpose, including the right to notice of or to vote at meetings, payment of dividends or distributions, allotment of rights, or change, reclassification, conversion or exchange of shares, up to 90 days prior to the action for which the record date is fixed. The Company shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock of the Company as the holder and owner in fact thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or right, title or interest in any share on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of Pennsylvania. [Amended by the Board of Directors 3/13/01.]
ARTICLE V
Miscellaneous Corporate Transactions and Documents
Section 5.01. Borrowing. No officer, agent or employee of the Company shall have any power or authority to borrow money on its behalf, to guarantee or pledge its credit, or to mortgage or pledge any of its real or personal property, except within the scope and to the extent of the authority delegated by the Board of Directors. Authority may be granted by the Board for any of the above purposes and may be general or limited to specific instances.
Section 5.02. Execution of Instruments Generally. All properly authorized notes, bonds, drafts, acceptances, checks, endorsements (other than for deposit), guarantees, and all evidences of indebtedness of the Company whatsoever, and all properly authorized deeds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments requiring execution by the Company may be executed and delivered by the Chairman (if an officer of the Company), the President or any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company; and authority to sign any such contracts or instruments, which may be general or confined to specific instances, may be conferred by the Board of Directors upon any other person or persons, subject to such requirements as to countersignature or other conditions, as the Board of Directors from time to time may determine. Facsimile signature on checks, notes, bonds and other instruments may be used if authorized by the Board of Directors. Any person having authority to sign on behalf of the Company may delegate, from time to time, by instrument in writing, all or any part of such authority to any person or persons if authorized so to do by the Board of Directors. [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
Section 5.03. Voting and Acting with Respect to Securities Owned by Company. The Chairman (if an officer of the Company), the President or any Vice President each shall have the power and authority to vote and act with respect to all stock and other securities in any other corporation held by this Company, unless the Board confers such authority, which may be general or specific, upon some other person. Any person so authorized to vote securities shall have the power to appoint an attorney or attorneys, with general power of substitution, as proxies for the Company, with full power to vote and act in behalf of the Company with respect to such stock and other securities. [Amended by Board of Directors 2-28-08.]
ARTICLE VI
General Provisions
Section 6.01. Offices. The principal office and place of business of the Company shall be at 121 Gamma Drive, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The Company may also have offices at such other places within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the business of the Company may require.
Section 6.02. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors shall prescribe the form of a suitable corporate seal, which shall contain the full name of the Company and the year and state of incorporation.
Section 6.03. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall begin the first day of January and terminate on the last day of December in each year.
Section 6.04. Financial Reports to Shareholders. The Board of Directors shall have discretion to determine whether financial statements shall be sent to shareholders, what such reports shall contain, and whether they shall be audited or accompanied by the report of an independent or certified public accountant.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
[Approved by Shareholders 4/24/87.]
Section 7.01. Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others.
(a) Right to Indemnification. Except as prohibited by law, every Director and officer of the Company shall be entitled as of right to be indemnified by the Company against reasonable expenses and any liability paid or incurred by such
person in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding, civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise, in which he or she may be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of such person being or having been a Director or officer of the Company or by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or other representative of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity (such claim, action, suit or proceeding hereinafter being referred to as “Action”); provided that no such right or indemnification shall exist with respect to an Action brought by an indemnitee (as hereinafter defined) against the Company except as provided in the last sentence of this Subsection (a). Persons who are not directors or officers of the Company may be similarly indemnified in respect of service to the Company or to another such entity at the request of the Company to the extent the Board of Directors at any time denominates any of such persons as entitled to the benefits of this Section. As used in this Section 7.01, “indemnitee” shall include each Director and officer of the Company and each other person denominated by the Board of Directors as entitled to the benefits of this Section, “expenses” shall include reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by any such indemnitee and “liability” shall include amounts of judgments, excise taxes, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement. An indemnitee shall be entitled to be indemnified pursuant to this Subsection (a) for expenses incurred in connection with any Action brought by an indemnitee against the Company only as provided under Subsection (c) of this Section and if, (i) the indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in the Action for which expenses are claimed or (ii) the indemnification for expenses is included in a settlement of the Action or is awarded by a court.
(b) Right to Advancement of Expenses. Every indemnitee shall be entitled as of right to have his or her reasonable expenses in defending any Action or in any Action under Subsection (c) paid in advance by the Company prior to final disposition of such Action, subject to any obligation which may be imposed by law or by provision in the Articles, By-Laws, agreement or otherwise to reimburse the Company in certain events.
(c) Right of Indemnitee to Initiate Action. If a written claim under Subsection (a) or Subsection (b) of this Section is not paid in full by the Company within thirty days after such claim has been received by the Company, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter initiate an Action against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such Action. The only defense to any Action to recover a claim under Subsection (a) of this Section shall be that the indemnitee’s conduct was such that under Pennsylvania law the Company is prohibited from indemnifying the indemnitee for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel and its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its shareholders) that the indemnitee’s conduct was such that indemnification is prohibited by law, shall be a defense to such Action or create a presumption that the indemnitee’s conduct was such that indemnification is prohibited by law. The only defense to any such Action to receive payment of expenses in advance under Subsection (b) of this Section shall be failure to make an undertaking to reimburse if such an undertaking is required by law or by provision in the Articles, By-Laws, agreement or otherwise.
(d) Insurance and Funding. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any person eligible to be indemnified hereunder against any liability or expense asserted or incurred by such person in connection with any Action, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability or expense by law or under the provisions of this Section. The Company may create a trust fund, grant a security interest, cause a letter of credit to
be issued or use other means (whether or not similar to the foregoing) to ensure the payment of such sums as may become necessary to effect indemnification as provided herein.
(e) Non-Exclusivity; Nature and Extent of Rights. The right of indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in this Section (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights, whether now existing or here-after created, to which any indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement or by-law, charter provision, vote of shareholders or directors or otherwise (ii) shall be deemed to create contractual rights in favor of each indemnitee, (iii) shall continue as to each person who has ceased to have the status pursuant to which he or she was entitled or was denominated as entitled to indemnification under this Section and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of each indemnitee and (iv) shall be applicable to Actions commenced after the adoption of this Section, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after the adoption of this Section. The rights of indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in this Section may not be amended or repealed so as to limit in any way the indemnification or the right to advancement of expenses provided for in this Section with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to the adoption of any such amendment or repeal.
(f) Effective Date. This Section 7.01 shall apply to every Action other than an Action filed prior to January 27, 1987, except that it shall not apply to the extent that Pennsylvania law does not permit its application to any breach of performance of duty or any failure of performance of duty by an indemnitee occurring prior to January 27, 1987. [Approved by Shareholders 4/24/87.] [Restated Articles, Article 14th.]
Section 7.02 Personal Liability of Directors.
(a) To the fullest extent that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as in effect on January 27, 1987 or as thereafter amended, permit
elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, no Director of the Company shall be personally liable for monetary damages as such for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a Director.
(b) This Section 7.02 shall not apply to any actions filed prior to January 27, 1987, nor to any breach of performance of duty or any failure of performance of duty by any Director of the Company occurring prior to January 27, 1987. The provisions of this Section shall be deemed to be a contract with each Director of the Company who serves as such at any time while this Section is in effect and each such Director shall be deemed to be doing so in reliance on the provisions of this Section. Any amendment or repeal of this Section or adoption of any other By-Law or provision of the Articles of the Company which has the effect of increasing Director liability shall operate prospectively only and shall not affect any action taken, or any failure to act, prior to the adoption of such amendment, repeal, other By-Law or provision. [Approved by Shareholders 4/24/87.] [Restated Articles, Article 14th.]
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
Section 8.01. Amendments to By-Laws. The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the Disinterested Directors, may adopt, amend and repeal the By-Laws with respect to those matters which are not, by statute, reserved exclusively to the shareholders. No By-Law may be adopted, amended or repealed by the shareholders unless, in addition to any vote required by any other provision of law, the Articles or the By-Laws of the Company, such action is approved by the holders of a majority of the Voting Power of the Voting Stock of the Company which is not Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person, unless such action has been previously approved by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors. [Restated Articles Section 12.1]
ARTICLE IX
Non-Applicability of Statute
Section 9.01. Non-Applicability of Statute. Subchapter 25G (Control-Share Acquisitions) of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, added by the Act of April 27, 1990 (P.L. 129, No. 36), shall not be applicable to the Company. [This By-Law provision was adopted by action of the Board of Directors on June 27, 1990.]
Exhibit 14.1
| Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
Effective Date: 2/28/08
Supersedes: 10/26/04
Approved by: Board of Directors |
OBJECTIVE
To ensure that the business practices of Mine Safety Appliances Company (“MSA”) remain steadfast to the Company’s mission and principle of accepting nothing less than fair and honest dealings with all individuals and entities to promote the continued growth and success of the Company. While this policy establishes the Company’s position on appropriate conduct in specific situations, the Company more broadly recognizes that ethical conduct should be a part of all business matters related to the Company.
CODE
| A. | General |
| 1. | Laws |
The employees, officers and directors of MSA (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Employee”) shall adhere to the laws of the United States and its political subdivisions and to those of other countries in which MSA operates, including but not limited to laws regarding antitrust, the environment, workplace health and safety, international commerce, corporate governance, anti-discrimination and insider trading. MSA has detailed separate policies concerning many of these laws and an Employee is expected to be familiar with such policies. Where conflicts or ambiguities exist in these laws or policies, the MSA Law Department should be consulted for guidance.
| 2. | Honesty and Fair Dealings |
Employees shall adhere to honest standards and practices in all business dealings. All Employees shall act legally, ethically and fairly when dealing with customers, suppliers, competitors, other Employees and MSA itself.
| 3. | Political Contribution |
No MSA funds, facilities or services shall be used to aid or oppose any candidate for office of any government, State, Federal or local, in the United States or any other country.
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| 4. | Accounting |
Established accounting procedures are to be followed at all times including the recording of all forms of funds or assets of MSA. No false entries shall be made in the books and records of MSA. No payment on behalf of MSA shall be approved or made with the intention or understanding that any part of such payment is to be used for any purpose other than that described by the documents supporting the payment.
| 5. | Bribes |
Under no circumstances shall any payments, gifts, rendering of services or any other form of value be directly or indirectly given by an Employee of MSA to any person, including but not limited to public officials, employees of customers, or employees of suppliers (hereinafter “Person”) to improperly influence the Person’s exercise of judgment and discretion to assist MSA in obtaining or retaining business contracts. Payments provided to a member of the immediate family of any such Person shall be considered and treated as though provided directly to that Person. Reasonable and customary entertainment, however, may be offered for the promotion of the Company’s business when done in accordance with Section B(5) below.
| 6. | Audits |
MSA’s internal auditors shall examine the adherence to this Code as part of their periodic reviews.
| 7. | Appearance of Impropriety |
Employees must be sensitive to situations that may give the appearance of impropriety, unethical conduct or violations of this Code or any other MSA policies. If an Employee believes that a contemplated action might create an appearance of impropriety or otherwise conflict with this provision, he or she must seek approval from MSA management, Human Resources or the MSA Law Department before taking any such action. The Employee must not engage in any activity or transaction that improperly benefits his or her self interest (financial or otherwise), or where the activity may be detrimental to the Company or its stakeholders.
Employees should consider whether any action planned to be taken in any business situation might cast a shadow of embarrassment or disparagement to themselves or the Company in the event that those actions became known to their family, community or the media; if such a concern exists, he or she must seek approval from MSA management, Human Resources or the MSA Law Department before taking any such action.
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| 8. | Disclosure |
Employees must provide full, fair, accurate, and understandable disclosures in all MSA reports and documents submitted to any governmental authority or other persons outside or within MSA.
| 9. | Protection and Use of Company Assets |
Under no circumstances shall an Employee misappropriate or improperly use Company assets.
| 10. | Confidentiality |
Employees must maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by MSA or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to MSA, its customers or shareholders, if disclosed. Selective disclosure of information in violation of applicable securities laws and regulations is prohibited.
| B. | Conflict of Interest |
| 1. | Freedom from Constraints |
Employees shall be free from any personal influence, interest, or relationship with any third party that might conflict with the best interests of MSA.
Employees also must not engage in any activity or transaction with MSA that improperly benefits his or her self interest (financial or otherwise) when the activity may be detrimental to the Company.
| 2. | Disclosure |
Employees must fully disclose to MSA management, Human Resources or the MSA Law Department any proposed activity that may create a conflict of interest and request approval to engage in the activity. The Employee must take no action regarding this matter until approval has been received.
| 3. | Financial Interests |
An Employee or a member of the Employee’s immediate family may not have a substantial financial interest in an organization that has current or prospective dealings with MSA as a supplier, contractor or customer, or competes directly with MSA when the Employee may be able to influence the dealings of MSA to benefit the Employee’s private interests, unless, the Employee both discloses the situation
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in accordance with B(2) above and recuses him or herself from any decisions concerning transactions between MSA and the organization. An Employee may own stock in a publicly traded company that does business with MSA as long as such business dealings are immaterial to MSA.
| 4. | Acceptance of Gifts or Entertainment |
Employees shall not accept any gifts or entertainment from any organization having current or prospective dealings with MSA as a supplier, contractor or customer, except when such gifts or entertainment are of such insignificance that acceptance would not prevent the Employee from acting solely in the best interests of MSA. Gifts or entertainment provided to a member of the immediate family of the Employee shall be considered and treated as though provided directly to the Employee.
| 5. | Offering of Gifts or Entertainment |
Employees shall not offer any gifts or entertainment to a current or prospective customer, except when such gifts or entertainment are of such insignificance that acceptance would not prevent the recipient from acting solely in the best interests of the recipient’s organization. Such gifts or entertainment provided to a member of the immediate family of a customer or its employee shall be considered and treated as though provided directly to the customer or its employee.
| 6. | Non-Competition |
Employees shall not receive compensation for services rendered as a representative, consultant or director of another organization that competes directly with MSA or where the other organization has current or prospective dealings with MSA, if such relationship would prevent the Employee, when acting as an Employee, from acting solely in the best interest of MSA. In all cases under this Section B(6), the Employee shall recuse him or herself from any decisions concerning transactions between MSA and the competing entity, when acting as an Employee. A Director of MSA may have ownership and or position with another organization that may do business with MSA; however, the Director must recuse him or herself from any decisions concerning transactions with the organization.
| 7. | Employment |
An Employee may not accept concurrent employment with another company if the organization is a competitor or supplier of MSA, or one that may become a competitor or supplier of MSA in the foreseeable future, or if such employment may prevent the Employee from effectively carrying out his or her job responsibilities for MSA. Concurrent employment, even if it does not represent a potential conflict with MSA, is generally discouraged and must be approved by the Employee’s supervisor.
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| 8. | Loans |
To avoid the potential for a conflict of interest, an Employee shall not loan money to any individual or entity to promote the business of MSA without the express written permission of the Chief Executive Officer, and subsequent disclosure to the Audit Committee of MSA’s Board of Directors. This clause does not preclude MSA from extending credit or otherwise assisting in standard commercial financing or leasing of MSA products by a customer or end user.
An Employee or a member of the Employee’s immediate family may not borrow money from individuals or organizations that conduct or may conduct business with MSA, either as a customer or supplier. This does not apply to public lending institutions, e.g., banks, savings and loan associations, etc.
| 9. | Corporate Opportunities |
An Employee shall not use information gained in the course of performing his or her duties to take personal advantage of any MSA business opportunity without first obtaining the consent of MSA.
| 10. | Insider Trading |
Insider information is information about the Company that has not been disclosed to the public that a reasonable investor would consider important in deciding whether to buy, hold or sell the Company’s stock (“Insider Information”). Employees and directors who possess Insider Information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes. The use of Insider Information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal. This policy supplements the Company’s Insider Trading policy that applies to directors, officers and certain other employees. If you have any questions concerning insider trading, please consult the Company’s Law Department.
C. Reporting, Monitoring and Accountability
| 1. | Reporting |
MSA shall provide appropriate means for reporting violations of this Code, including but not limited to financial improprieties. Anyone who is aware of any possible violations must promptly report the non-compliance to their supervisor, Human Resources, the MSA Law Department, or MSA’s Ethics Guideline. The identity of each Employee who reports a possible violation will be treated as confidential unless the Employee agrees to waive confidentiality. If circumstances arise which prevent correction of a reported activity without revealing the identity of the Employee who reported the conduct, the Employee will be contacted before
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his or her identity is revealed. MSA shall not permit retaliation of any kind against anyone who reports what he or she believes in good faith to be illegal activity or unethical conduct.
| 2. | Waiver |
No waiver of this Code will be made for any officer or director unless approved by the Board of Directors and promptly disclosed to the shareholders.
| 3. | Management Responsibility |
Department managers shall be responsible for monitoring compliance of this Code in the areas under their supervision.
| 4. | Accountability |
Any infraction of this Code will subject the Employee to disciplinary action which, depending upon the seriousness of the violation, may include warning, reprimand, suspension or termination.
| 5. | Continuing Commitment |
MSA shall continually enhance, evaluate and communicate this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
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