Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	$ 2,896,520	$ 3,046,018	$ 3,302,740
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	1,292,511	1,333,248	1,518,902
Engineered scaffolding, concrete forming and shoring, and other access-related services, rentals and sales
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	885,377	937,293	1,108,293
Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	286,167	352,036	300,029
Air-cooled heat exchangers
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	180,738	175,896	142,960
Industrial grating products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	142,355	136,157	113,388
Industrial abrasives and roofing granules
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	66,493	70,855	69,399
Heat transfer products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Consolidated Revenues	$ 42,879	$ 40,533	$ 49,769