Tax Effects of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance claims (net of recoverables)	$ 103,125	$ 109,439
Deferred and other compensation	28,897	25,516
Accounts receivable allowances	3,822	4,245
Settlement liabilities	1,999	1,306
State taxes	908	712
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	15,485	19,961
State net operating loss carryforwards	8,348	9,184
Tax credits	6,480	6,602
Other	8,220	7,872
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	177,284	184,837
Valuation allowance	(5,784)	(6,290)	(6,147)
Total gross deferred tax assets	171,500	178,547
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	(8,579)	(2,426)
Goodwill and other acquired intangibles	(91,408)	(78,860)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(99,987)	(81,286)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 71,513	$ 97,261