What Happened Next

The guy kicked off on entirely the right note. He asked me how I was. Great solicitude. Then he proposed to fix the problem using extra long screws.

For all my cynicism, I find I want to believe the best of people. 

So we are back where we started, only the loft ladder is now "safe". 

Actually, it probably is. The guy went away saying he'd incorporate a safety feature we'd suggested in all future jobs,- so he doesn't get sued and we get to feel like the noble benefactors of mankind.

Win-win!