Segment Information - Net Income Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 229,623	$ 206,342	$ 242,367
Unallocated amounts:
Administrative costs	111,745	107,348	120,015
Restructuring charges	0	16,821	15,012
Impairment charges	0	46,867	148,551
Investment and other income	709	(845)	(2,402)
Interest Expense	7,824	11,156	14,300
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	109,345	24,995	(53,109)
Workplace Safety
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	59,847	56,502	66,238
Unallocated amounts:
Impairment charges		39
Identification Solutions
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 169,776	149,840	$ 176,129
Unallocated amounts:
Impairment charges		$ 8