Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Textuals) [Abstract]
Insurance indemnification receivables associated with its property and casualty liabilities	$ 3,129	$ 6,329	$ 241
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	15,290	13,239	20,215
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	12,807	12,459	9,345
Other	(10,916)	(10,408)	(16,321)
Ending Balance	17,181	15,290	13,239
Property and Casualty Liability [Member]
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	57,708	62,658	71,172
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	7,364	12,308	20,482
Valuation allowances and reserves, deductions on other adjustments	(16,242)	(22,866)	(29,398)
Other adjustments	3,619	5,608	402
Ending Balance	52,449	57,708	62,658
Reserve For Environmental Costs Litigation And Other [Member]
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts
Beginning Balance	26,597	21,660	14,481
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	4,512	6,213	7,867
Valuation allowances and reserves, deductions on other adjustments	(20,960)	(1,183)	(968)
Ending Balance	11,944	26,597	21,660
Environmental, litigation and other [Member]
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts
Other adjustments	$ 1,795	$ (93)	$ 280