Restructuring Programs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Non-cash product rationalization expense			$ 24,966,000		$ 66,063,000
Proceeds from sales of assets	18,984,000		49,779,000		42,653,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges			95,000,000		101,000,000
Overall cost savings in 2012	63,000,000
Increase (Decrease) Of Effect On Earnings Amount	8,000,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	23,005,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(2,035,000)
Cash Payments	(13,154,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	(325,000)
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	0
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	(2,404,000)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	5,087,000		23,005,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Cost to exit activities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining	3,300,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Infrastructure [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges			88,600,000	[1]	87,600,000	[1]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	15,999,000	[2]
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(1,691,000)	[2]
Cash Payments	(8,356,000)	[2]
Foreign Currency Translation	(300,000)	[2]
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	(3,248,000)	[2]
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	(2,404,000)	[2]
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	0	[2]	15,999,000	[2]
Non-cash product rationalization expense	0
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Infrastructure [Member] | Employee termination benefit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	6,999,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(1,000,000)
Cash Payments	(5,087,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	(245,000)
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	0
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	(667,000)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	0
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Infrastructure [Member] | Cost to exit activities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	9,000,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(691,000)
Cash Payments	(3,269,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	(55,000)
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	(3,248,000)
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	(1,737,000)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	0
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges			5,500,000	[1]	12,800,000	[1]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	6,993,000	[2]
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(346,000)	[2]
Cash Payments	(4,721,000)	[2]
Foreign Currency Translation	(25,000)	[2]
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	0	[2]
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	0	[2]
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	1,901,000	[2]	6,993,000	[2]
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Employee termination benefit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	6,494,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(139,000)
Cash Payments	(4,516,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	(33,000)
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	0
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	0
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	1,806,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Cost to exit activities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	499,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	(207,000)
Cash Payments	(205,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	8,000
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	0
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	0
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	95,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Corporate
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	13,000	[2]
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	2,000	[2]
Cash Payments	(77,000)	[2]
Foreign Currency Translation	0	[2]
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	3,248,000	[2]
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	0	[2]
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	3,186,000	[2]
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Corporate | Employee termination benefit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	13,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	2,000
Cash Payments	(15,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Restructuring reserve, transfer between segments	0
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	0
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	0
2011/2012 Restructuring Program | Harsco Corporate | Cost to exit activities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	0
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	0
Cash Payments	(62,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	0
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	0
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	3,186,000
Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program | Harsco Infrastructure [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	6,791,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	695,000
Cash Payments	(506,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	(3,000)
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	(5,587,000)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	0
Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program | Harsco Infrastructure [Member] | Cost to exit activities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	6,791,000
Non-Cash Charges / Adjustments	695,000
Cash Payments	(506,000)
Foreign Currency Translation	(3,000)
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges	(5,587,000)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	$ 0

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