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Florida’s ban on local governments adopting heat regulations drew national attention and criticism with nearly 90 environmental, faith-based and labor groups writing to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to veto the legislation before he signed it.

Proponents of the bill, which included lobbying groups for the construction and agriculture industries, promised the additional oversight was unnecessary.

“I don’t think we need a nanny government standing over every person who might get too hot today,” said then-Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, while speaking in support of the legislation during a February hearing. “It’s over-regulating.”

Companies are supposed to report work-related fatalities to OSHA within eight hours. That prompts the agency to investigate and determine whether the employer holds blame.

The 19 deaths identified by the Times that are missing from OSHA’s tally included day laborers, roofers, construction workers and landscapers. Many died after working for lawn care companies on private homes, some just hundreds of feet from air conditioning and running water.

All were men, leaving behind wives and children in Guatemala, Mexico, Haiti and Florida. Most weren’t even 40.

The youngest was 20. The oldest 70.

At least four died during their first week on the job. Three died on their very first day.

Their internal body temperatures averaged over 106 degrees. The hottest day reached a heat index of over 109. The average was over 100.