Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares
Income from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars)	$ 32,207	$ 21,074	$ 82,648	$ 61,355
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding - basic	80,767,000	80,574,000	80,737,000	80,559,000
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation	270,000	188,000	260,000	188,000
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted	81,037,000	80,762,000	80,997,000	80,747,000
Earnings from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.26	$ 1.02	$ 0.76
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.26	$ 1.02	$ 0.76
Restricted stock units and stock options
Number of restricted stock units not included in computation of diluted earning per share	3,750,000		1,264,000
Restricted stock units:
Restricted stock units and stock options
Number of restricted stock units not included in computation of diluted earning per share	3,750,000	500,000	1,264,000	12,000,000
Stock options:
Restricted stock units and stock options
Number of restricted stock units not included in computation of diluted earning per share	589,000,000		198,491,000