Segment Information - Net Income Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 206,342	$ 242,367	$ 269,631
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs	107,348	120,015	121,693
Restructuring charges	16,821	15,012	26,046
Impairment charges	46,867	148,551	204,448
Investment and other income	(845)	(2,402)	(3,523)
Interest Expense	11,156	14,300	16,641
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	24,995	(53,109)	(95,674)
Workplace Safety
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	56,502	66,238	95,241
Unallocated amounts:
Restructuring charges	4,717	5,999	10,176
Impairment charges	39		182,800
Identification Solutions
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	149,840	176,129	174,390
Unallocated amounts:
Restructuring charges	12,104	$ 9,013	15,870
Impairment charges	$ 8		$ 21,648