Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	$ 3,046,018	$ 3,302,740	$ 3,038,678
General Corporate
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	0	0	180
Outsourced, on-site services to steel mills and other metals producers and resource recovery technologies for the re-use of industrial waste stream by-products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	1,333,248	1,518,902	1,393,794
Engineered scaffolding, concrete forming and shoring, and other access-related services, rentals and sales
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	937,293	1,108,293	1,031,807
Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	352,036	300,029	313,262
Air-cooled heat exchangers
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	175,896	142,960	112,170
Industrial grating products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	136,157	113,388	76,975
Industrial abrasives and roofing granules
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	70,855	69,399	67,737
Heat transfer products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	$ 40,533	$ 49,769	$ 42,753