CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 2,340,996	$ 2,700,664		$ 2,511,505
Product revenues	705,022	602,076		527,173
Total revenues	3,046,018	3,302,740		3,038,678
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	1,861,732	2,162,948		1,994,637
Cost of products sold	487,784	407,680		342,242
Selling, general and administrative expenses	503,339	535,679		532,624
Research and development expenses	9,139	6,044		4,271
Goodwill impairment charge	265,038	0		0
Other expenses	93,776	102,740		86,473
Total costs and expenses	3,220,808	3,215,091		2,960,247
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(174,790)	87,649		78,431
Interest income	3,676	2,751		2,668
Interest expense	(47,381)	(48,735)		(60,623)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(218,495)	41,665		20,476
Income tax expense	(35,251)	(49,848)		(4,276)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	564	690		390
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(253,182)	(7,493)		16,590
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(1,843)	(3,306)		(7,249)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	924	1,243		3,118
Loss from discontinued operations	(919)	(2,063)		(4,131)
Net income (loss)	(254,101)	(9,556)		12,459
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(511)	(1,954)		(5,705)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(254,612)	(11,510)		6,754
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(253,693)	(9,447)		10,885
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(919)	(2,063)		(4,131)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (254,612)	$ (11,510)		$ 6,754
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding	80,632	80,736		80,569
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.15)	$ (0.12)		$ 0.14
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.05)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (3.16)	$ (0.14)	[1]	$ 0.08	[1]
Diluted weighted average number of shares of stock outstanding	80,632	80,736		80,761
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.15)	$ (0.12)		$ 0.13
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.05)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (3.16)	$ (0.14)	[1]	$ 0.08

[1] Does not total due to rounding.