Road Warden Scheme: MS4 Finger Posts

Method Statement 4: Repairing and Replacing Finger Posts

1. Definition

A fingerpost is a traditional type of directional signpost commonly found rural areas. It typically consists of a vertical pole with one or more horizontal ‘arms’ (or “fingers”) pointing in the direction of various destinations. Each arm is labelled with the name of the destination and often includes the distance in miles.

Damage to a finger post may be limited to one or more ‘arms’, or it may be the entire post has been dislodged.

2. Basic Equipment Required

The following items are intended as a guide only. It is the responsibility of the Road Warden to ensure that all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Traffic Management (TM), tools and equipment are suitable for the job in hand and in good condition. Furthermore, the Road Warden should ensure all volunteers involved are competent with using the tools and equipment provided.

2.a. Personal Protective Equipment

  • Face mask / respirator
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection – goggles / visor
  • Ear Defenders
  • Hi-visibility clothing
  • Hard hat
  • Protective boots

2.b.Traffic Management (TM)

Ensure the sufficient TM signs, bollards, and equipment are carried which are appropriate for the task / site. These must be set out in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual and the Safety at Streetworks and Road Works Red Book.

2.c. Tools and Equipment

  • Spade or Post Hole Digger – for excavating the old post and preparing the hole for the new one.
  • Crowbar or Pry Bar – to help remove the old post if it’s embedded deeply or concreted in.
  • Socket Set / Wrenches – for assembling or disassembling metal components.
  • Spirit Level – to ensure the new post is installed vertically.
  • Measuring Tape – for accurate placement and depth.
  • Hammer / Mallet – for securing fittings or tapping components into place.
  • Screwdrivers / Drill – for attaching directional arms or signage.
  • Woodworking tools – chisel, saw
  • Concrete Mixing Tools (if setting in concrete) – bucket, mixing paddle, or portable mixer.
  • Concrete tamper – this can be a simple length of wood approx 50mm x 25mm thick

2.d. Materials

  • Concrete (ballast and cement) or Postcrete
  • Water – for mixing concrete and cleaning tools
  • Fixings – bolts, screws, brackets
  • Wood glue – for fixing replacement arms in place
  • Paint or wood preserver for weatherproofing and/or touching up lettering.

3. Method Statement

3.1 Entire Finger Post Correction or Replacement

  1. Carry out and complete the risk assessment. Risk Assessment Template. Ensure that sufficient controls are in place for all identified risks.
  2. Be aware of the possibility of underground services – gas, water, electricity, sewerage, drainage, fibre optic cables, etc. Ensure all necessary precautions are taken to avoid them when digging in the ground. If in doubt, the Neighbourhood Highway Officer can arrange for an underground utility search to be carried out using online utility databases.
  3. Advise the DCC Neighbourhood Highway Officer (NHO) for the area of the proposed work.
  4. Set up appropriate traffic management. Refer to the TM flowchart and install the appropriate TM in accordance with Chapter 8 and the Red Book.
  5. If the fingerpost has been dislodged:
    • restore the post to the vertical position, ensuring that the information arms are pointing in the correct directions.
    • to maintain stability, either repack the existing surplus material around the post or, if deemed appropriate, concrete the post in place using an approved premix concrete mix and fully compact/tamp the concrete to remove any air bubbles or pockets.
    • Paint or preserve the finger post as appropriate
  6. If the post is damaged beyond repair:
    • excavate the existing post location removing broken sections of post in the process. Be mindful of any underground utility services which might be in place, particularly agricultural drainage that might not appear on any database.
    • Insert the new finger post into the new hole, ensuring the post is vertical and the information arms are pointing in the correct directions
    • to maintain long-term stability, either repack the surrounding excavation with a suitable granular material, or if considered acceptable, concrete the post in place.
  7. Clear away all tools and equipment.
  8. Remove all traffic management, being mindful of traffic whilst this is being done.
  9. Take an inventory of signs, bollards, tools, and equipment, to ensure none is left behind.

3.2 Finger Arm Replacement

  1. Carry out and complete the risk assessment. Risk Assessment Template. Ensure that sufficient controls are in place for all identified risks.
  2. Advise the DCC Neighbourhood Highway Officer (NHO) for the area of the proposed work.
  3. Set up appropriate traffic management. Refer to the TM flowchart and install the appropriate TM in accordance with Chapter 8 and the Red Book.
  4. Remove all remnants of the existing missing or damaged arms.
  5. Slot the replacement arms in place checking that they are pointing in the right direction.
  6. Secure the replacement arm with appropriate fixings
  7. Paint or preserve the post as appropriate
  8. Clear away all tools and equipment.
  9. Remove all traffic management, being mindful of traffic whilst this is being done.
  10. Take an inventory of signs, bollards, tools, and equipment, to ensure none is left behind.
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