Fines issued after legs found in Newcastle tip

A series of errors that lead to two amputated legs being dumped in landfill near Newcastle has cost health authorities and waste services $16,000 in fines.

A bulldozer operator found the legs sticking out of a pile of garbage in February, triggering an investigation by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The EPA investigation concluded that the legs came from two patients from the John Hunter Hospital and should have been incinerated, but were instead incorrectly sent to landfill after a communication breakdown between the hospital and Specialised Waste Treatment Services.

The EPA fined each organisation $8000.