CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 551,155	$ 598,700
Product revenues	164,240	153,635
Total revenues	715,395	752,335
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	443,396	483,425
Cost of products sold	120,862	110,242
Selling, general and administrative expenses	124,698	129,203
Research and development expenses	2,196	2,060
Other (income) expenses	(1,542)	40,092
Total costs and expenses	689,610	765,022
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	25,785	(12,687)
Interest income	406	674
Interest expense	(11,743)	(12,824)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	14,448	(24,837)
Income tax expense	(4,965)	(4,498)
Equity in income or loss of unconsolidated entities, net	(14)	169
Income (loss) from continuing operations	9,469	(29,166)
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(642)	(650)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	245	244
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(397)	(406)
Net income (loss)	9,072	(29,572)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,827)	203
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	7,245	(29,369)
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	7,642	(28,963)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(397)	(406)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 7,245	$ (29,369)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,706	80,579
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.09	$ (0.36)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.09	$ (0.36)
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,930	80,579
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.09	$ (0.36)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.09	$ (0.36)
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.205	$ 0.205