Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	May 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 871,012us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 769,900us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,733,426us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,462,191us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Operating income (loss)	33,192us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	19,499us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	85,394us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	58,137us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Restructuring and other expense (income)	405wor_RestructuringAndOtherExpenseIncome	(1,182)wor_RestructuringAndOtherExpenseIncome	398wor_RestructuringAndOtherExpenseIncome	(5,179)wor_RestructuringAndOtherExpenseIncome
Impairment of long-lived assets	14,235us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	30,734us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	16,185us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	35,375us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Joint venture transactions	83wor_JointVentureTransactions	786wor_JointVentureTransactions	190wor_JointVentureTransactions	928wor_JointVentureTransactions
Total assets	2,307,391us-gaap_Assets		2,307,391us-gaap_Assets		2,296,381us-gaap_Assets
Steel Processing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	552,756	492,134	1,105,087	894,575
Operating income (loss)	33,877	34,786	69,746	57,449
Restructuring and other expense (income)			(30)	(4,762)
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,100		3,050	4,641
Total assets	875,269		875,269		850,748
Pressure Cylinders
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	252,744	214,022	501,703	430,922
Operating income (loss)	9,580	8,275	29,186	27,729
Restructuring and other expense (income)	405	(1,849)	428	(1,447)
Impairment of long-lived assets	9,567	11,634	9,567	11,634
Total assets	870,789		870,789		818,720
Engineered Cabs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	51,540	47,868	101,094	96,329
Operating income (loss)	(5,609)	(20,892)	(7,754)	(21,196)
Impairment of long-lived assets	2,389	19,100	2,389	19,100
Total assets	178,761		178,761		181,251
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	13,972	15,876	25,542	40,365
Operating income (loss)	(4,656)	(2,670)	(5,784)	(5,845)
Restructuring and other expense (income)		667		1,030
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,179		1,179
Joint venture transactions	83	786	190	928
Total assets	$ 382,572		$ 382,572		$ 445,662

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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