Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ 447	$ (2,105)	$ 1,769	$ (1,715)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(1,651)	(4,341)	852	(8,933)
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax expense of $0, $217, $0, and $455, respectively		1	632	79	1,330
Cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings, net of tax expense of $0, $0, $0, and $66, respectively		0	0	0	93
Reclassification of pension liability adjustments to earnings, net of tax expense of $1, $8, $5, and $40, respectively	[1]	42	50	123	149
Total comprehensive (loss) income		(1,161)	(5,764)	2,823	(9,076)
Less comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(68)	(28)	(125)	(82)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(21)	(21)	12	3
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest		(89)	(49)	(113)	(79)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to L.B. Foster Company		$ (1,072)	$ (5,715)	$ 2,936	$ (8,997)

[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.