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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($) levels	Aug. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Equity method investment	$ 0
Restricted cash		$ 4,100,000
Goodwill impairment charges	7,267,000	0	$ 6,400,000
Goodwill	66,383,000	74,319,000	69,579,000
Transaction gains (losses)	$ (45,400,000)	9,000,000	(5,800,000)
Number of fair value hierarchy | levels	3
One reporting unit within Americas Fabrication
Goodwill	$ 51,300,000	$ 51,300,000	51,300,000
Receivables secured by credit insurance or letters of credit
Percentage of accounts receivable secured by credit insurance or letters of credit	35.00%	49.00%
Certain fabrication projects
Sales recognized in excess of amounts billed	$ 25,000,000	$ 24,200,000
Maximum
Cost method investment ownership percentage	20.00%
Americas Recycling
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 7,267,000		6,400,000
Foreign currency translation gain related to goodwill impairment			600,000
Goodwill	$ 0	$ 7,267,000	$ 7,267,000

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