<<F/O may well not be as vigilant as he might be first thing in the morning>>
Let's hope you never get taken to hospital in the early hours where you might need life-saving treatment from a doctor who has been working for 24 hours.
As someone who has worked in aviation all my life I find some points on here beyond belief. If the latches cannot be checked standing up why not provide overalls for the pilot so he could lay down?