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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
unit
level
Oct. 02, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
Reporting units, maximum number of levels below operating segments 1      
Number of reporting units 7      
Number of reportable units associated with goodwill 4      
Goodwill allocated to two reporting units (as a percent) 83.00%      
Number of reporting units allocated with majority of goodwill percentage 2      
Goodwill $ 680,901,000   $ 690,787,000 $ 699,041,000
Lower percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units   5.00%    
Higher percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units   10.00%    
Increase assumed in WACC of reporting units (as a percent)   0.50%    
Minimum
       
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
WACCs used in goodwill impairment analysis (as a percent) 10.00%      
Maximum
       
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
WACCs used in goodwill impairment analysis (as a percent) 12.00%      
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
       
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
Number of reportable units associated with goodwill 2      
Goodwill 411,876,000   418,276,000 423,943,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Harsco Metals business
       
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
Goodwill 303,700,000      
Excess of fair value of reporting unit over carrying value (as a percent) 7.40%      
Excess of book value over fair value if higher percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units   32,400,000    
Harsco Infrastructure Segment and Harsco Rail Segment
       
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
Number of reportable units associated with goodwill 2      
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
       
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets        
Goodwill 259,715,000   263,212,000 266,119,000
Excess of fair value of reporting unit over carrying value (as a percent) 9.10%      
Excess of book value over fair value if higher percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units   20,300,000