Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares
Income from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars)	$ 38,185	$ 32,498	$ 50,441	$ 40,281
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding - basic	80,749,000	80,559,000	80,722,000	80,551,000
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation	261,000	176,000	255,000	188,000
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted	81,010,000	80,735,000	80,977,000	80,739,000
Earnings from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.40	$ 0.62	$ 0.50
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.40	$ 0.62	$ 0.50
Antidilutive shares
Number of restricted stock units not included in computation of diluted earning per share		500		18,310