CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 682,885	$ 627,901	$ 2,059,928	$ 1,865,333
Product revenues	172,979	124,500	450,082	415,994
Total revenues	855,864	752,401	2,510,010	2,281,327
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	545,008	493,181	1,643,202	1,481,099
Cost of products sold	126,395	81,569	305,833	263,597
Selling, general and administrative expenses	129,006	131,405	407,957	401,496
Research and development expenses	1,577	1,293	4,290	2,979
Other (income) expenses	3,050	883	4,431	(2,020)
Total costs and expenses	805,036	708,331	2,365,713	2,147,151
Operating income from continuing operations	50,828	44,070	144,297	134,176
Interest income	683	737	2,022	1,849
Interest expense	(12,230)	(15,709)	(36,809)	(47,239)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	39,281	29,098	109,510	88,786
Income tax expense	(7,078)	(7,391)	(24,813)	(23,295)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	194	120	530	309
Income from continuing operations	32,397	21,827	85,227	65,800
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(636)	(1,406)	(2,708)	(6,195)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	229	511	1,018	2,716
Loss from discontinued operations	(407)	(895)	(1,690)	(3,479)
Net Income	31,990	20,932	83,537	62,321
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(190)	(753)	(2,579)	(4,445)
Net Income attributable to Harsco Corporation	31,800	20,179	80,958	57,876
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	32,207	21,074	82,648	61,355
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(407)	(895)	(1,690)	(3,479)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 31,800	$ 20,179	$ 80,958	$ 57,876
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	80,767	80,574	80,737	80,559
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.26	$ 1.02	$ 0.76
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)
Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.25	$ 1.00	$ 0.72
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	81,037	80,762	80,997	80,747
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.26	$ 1.02	$ 0.76
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.04)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.25	$ 1.00	$ 0.72
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.205	$ 0.205	$ 0.615	$ 0.615