Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2012	$ (411,168)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	16,824
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	19,847
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)	4,184
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	40,855		(46,538)	(178,480)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	302
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	40,553
Balance at December 31, 2013	(370,615)		(411,168)
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2012	62,308
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(39,848)	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)	(15,979)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(55,827)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	371
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(56,198)
Balance at December 31, 2013	6,110
Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2012	(8,139)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,060	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	8
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)	(21)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,047
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(69)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	1,116
Balance at December 31, 2013	(7,023)
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2012	(465,286)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	55,581	[3]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	19,839
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)	20,184
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	95,604
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	95,604
Balance at December 31, 2013	(369,682)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2012	(51)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	31
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	31
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	31
Balance at December 31, 2013	$ (20)

[1] Principally foreign currency fluctuation.

[2] Net change from periodic revaluations.

[3] Principally changes due to annual actuarial remeasurements.