Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income		$ (2,105)	$ 2,312	$ (1,715)	$ 3,896
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(4,341)	(1,610)	(8,933)	(649)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(217), $11, $(455),and $11, respectively		632	(33)	1,330	(33)
Cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings, net of tax expense of $0, $99, $66, and $295, respectively		0	136	93	409
Reclassification of pension liability adjustments to earnings, net of tax expense of $8, $23, $40, and $71, respectively*	[1]	50	92	149	274
Total comprehensive (loss) income		(5,764)	897	(9,076)	3,897
Less comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(28)	(30)	(82)	(64)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(21)	(31)	3	(10)
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest		(49)	(61)	(79)	(74)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L.B. Foster Company		$ (5,715)	$ 958	$ (8,997)	$ 3,971

[1] Reclassifications out of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” for pension obligations are charged to “Selling and administrative expenses” within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.