Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Harsco Corporation (the “Company”) has prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on Securities and Exchange Commission rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) that are necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The December 31, 2015 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was derived from the 2015 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) for an annual report. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Operating results and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications. Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition Product revenues are recognized when they are realized or realizable and when earned. Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Product revenues include the Harsco Industrial Segment and the product revenues of the Harsco Metals & Minerals and Harsco Rail Segments. Certain contracts within the Harsco Rail Segment, which meet specific criteria established in U.S. GAAP, are accounted for as long-term contracts. The Company recognizes revenues on two contracts from the federal railway system of Switzerland ("SBB") based on the percentage of completion (units-of-delivery) method of accounting, whereby revenues and estimated average costs of the units to be produced under the contracts are recognized as deliveries are made or accepted. Contract revenues and cost estimates are reviewed and revised, at a minimum quarterly, and adjustments are reflected in the accounting period as such amounts are determined. Change in Estimates Accounting for contracts using the percentage-of-completion method requires judgment relative to assessing risks, estimating contract revenues and costs (including estimating any liquidating damages or penalties related to performance) and making assumptions for schedule and technical items. Due to the number of years it may take to complete these contracts and the scope and nature of the work required to be performed on those contracts, estimating total sales and costs at completion is inherently complicated and subject to many variables and, accordingly estimates are subject to change. When adjustments in estimated total contract sales or estimated total costs are required, any changes from prior estimates are recognized in the current period for the inception-to-date effect of such changes. When estimates of total costs to be incurred on a contract, using the percentage-of-completion method, exceed estimates of total sales to be earned, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded in the period in which the loss is determined. During the second quarter of 2016, as a result of increased vendor costs, ongoing discussions with the customer, and increased estimates for commissioning, certification and testing costs, as well as expected settlements with respect to the customer, the Company has concluded it will have a loss on the contracts with SBB. The majority of the equipment deliveries and related revenue recognition under these contracts are expected in 2017 through 2020. The Company recognized an estimated loss provision related to the SBB contracts of $40.1 million at June 30, 2016 in the caption Costs of products sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no loss provision at December 31, 2015. See Note 3, Accounts Receivable and Inventories, for additional information related to the SBB contracts.

Basis of Presentation

Harsco Corporation (the “Company”) has prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on Securities and Exchange Commission rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) that are necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The December 31, 2015 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was derived from the 2015 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) for an annual report. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Operating results and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications.

Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition

Product revenues are recognized when they are realized or realizable and when earned. Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Product revenues include the Harsco Industrial Segment and the product revenues of the Harsco Metals & Minerals and Harsco Rail Segments.

Certain contracts within the Harsco Rail Segment, which meet specific criteria established in U.S. GAAP, are accounted for as long-term contracts. The Company recognizes revenues on two contracts from the federal railway system of Switzerland ("SBB") based on the percentage of completion (units-of-delivery) method of accounting, whereby revenues and estimated average costs of the units to be produced under the contracts are recognized as deliveries are made or accepted. Contract revenues and cost estimates are reviewed and revised, at a minimum quarterly, and adjustments are reflected in the accounting period as such amounts are determined.

Change in Estimates

Accounting for contracts using the percentage-of-completion method requires judgment relative to assessing risks, estimating contract revenues and costs (including estimating any liquidating damages or penalties related to performance) and making assumptions for schedule and technical items. Due to the number of years it may take to complete these contracts and the scope and nature of the work required to be performed on those contracts, estimating total sales and costs at completion is inherently complicated and subject to many variables and, accordingly estimates are subject to change. When adjustments in estimated total contract sales or estimated total costs are required, any changes from prior estimates are recognized in the current period for the inception-to-date effect of such changes. When estimates of total costs to be incurred on a contract, using the percentage-of-completion method, exceed estimates of total sales to be earned, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded in the period in which the loss is determined.

During the second quarter of 2016, as a result of increased vendor costs, ongoing discussions with the customer, and increased estimates for commissioning, certification and testing costs, as well as expected settlements with respect to the customer, the Company has concluded it will have a loss on the contracts with SBB. The majority of the equipment deliveries and related revenue recognition under these contracts are expected in 2017 through 2020. The Company recognized an estimated loss provision related to the SBB contracts of $40.1 million at June 30, 2016 in the caption Costs of products sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no loss provision at December 31, 2015. See Note 3, Accounts Receivable and Inventories, for additional information related to the SBB contracts.