As a method of torture, this is far more effective than the tongue screw, believe me. It's hard to understand what they are admitting to, but they must be admitting to something ...

I am assuming that we are not talking itinerant pasta (pennes mobiles) and that this is a thaipo four pêne, the tongue or latch of a lock (since we are dealing with inspection doors on lampposts, it would appear; see www.syndicat-eclairage.com/pdf/publications/maintenance.pdf and a number of other sites dealing with street lighting, page 3 :
PORTES DE VISITE - Ajustement et présence de la
porte. État des vis pennes mobiles et graissage).

PÊNE Pièce mobile principale d'une serrure ou d'un verrou ...
[Dicobat]

No real need to specify mobile since that is what a pêne does best. Also, can't see the connection with screws. Maybe it should read:
Ajustement et présence de la porte. État des vis, pennes mobiles, et graissage.

i.e. Check door and adjust if necessary. Check state of screws/bolts and latch. Grease as required.

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Note added at 1 hr (2010-10-01 17:18:02 GMT)
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Zut! " ... than the THUMB screw ..."