Do I Need to Bring My Own Harness for Fall Protection Training?

If you’re getting ready to take fall protection training, there’s a good chance one question is sitting in the back of your mind:

“Do I need to bring my own harness?”

Don’t worry—you’re not the only one asking. I get this question all the time. Honestly, I’ve had people show up with brand-new harnesses still in the box, tags and all, because they didn’t want to look unprepared.

I’ve also had workers show up proudly wearing a harness that looked like it had lived through five job sites, a typhoon, and three decades of UV rays. So yeah, people overthink this.

Let’s break it down in a simple, practical, “I’ve-been-there” way so you know exactly what to expect.

See this table:

Situation	Bring Your Own Harness?	Reason
Training at a certified training center	No	Centers provide inspected harnesses
Employer-sponsored on-site training	Usually Yes	Employer wants you to use their gear
Specialized industries (tower climbing, utilities, oil & gas)	Sometimes	They require specific harness types
Taking a beginner/basic fall protection course	No	Equipment is included
Taking a skills evaluation or recertification	Maybe	Trainer might want to test your actual gear
Using a brand-new, unused harness	Optional	You can get it inspected during class

The Short Answer: Most of the Time, No. You Don’t Need to Bring Anything

Here’s the straight truth:

Equipment	Provided?	Notes
Full-body harness	Yes	Properly inspected before class
Shock-absorbing lanyard	Yes	Standard for most training
SRL (Self-Retracting Lifeline)	Yes	Used for demo or practice
Anchor point setups	Yes	Temporary or demo anchors
Hard hat	Sometimes	Depends on training center
Gloves	Sometimes	Optional
Safety glasses	Sometimes	Provided for practice sessions
Rescue kits	Yes (demo)	For demonstrations only

Training centers almost always provide the harness.

And not just harnesses—they’ll usually provide:

• full-body harnesses in different sizes
• lanyards or SRLs
• anchor points
• demo setups
• and sometimes even helmets or gloves

Why? Because they want everyone trained on safe, inspected, and approved equipment. If they let every trainee bring their own random harness, you’d end up with:

• expired harnesses
• cracked D-rings
• frayed stitching
• off-brand gear that isn’t even rated

I’ve seen people bring harnesses from online marketplaces that literally had no labels, no date of manufacture, not even a brand. They look like Halloween costumes. No trainer wants to deal with that.

So for most people: You can walk in empty-handed. They’ll gear you up.

But There Are Times When You Might Need to Bring Your Own Harness

Now let’s talk about the exceptions, because yes, there are a few.

1. If Your Employer Requires It

Some companies want you to train using their equipment.
This usually happens when:

• your job uses a very specific type of gear
• your employer wants to test your own harness for safety
• they’re trying to ensure consistency across the team

A lot of roofing companies do this. So do utilities and tower-climbing crews.

2. If the Training Is Happening at Your Job Site

If the trainer is coming to your workplace instead of you going to a training center, expect to use your employer’s gear. They’ll want you to train exactly how you’ll work.

3. If You’re Doing an Evaluation, Not a Basic Course

Sometimes you aren’t taking a beginner’s class—you’re taking a skills evaluation.
In that case, the trainer might expect you to demonstrate knowledge using your own equipment.

4. If You Work in a Specialized Industry

A few industries use gear that’s not typical, like:

• tower climbing setups
• waist belts for certain utilities
• specialized rescue harnesses

If that’s you, the training center might encourage you to bring your own harness so you can practice with the exact equipment you’ll be using.

But again, for normal construction or general industry training, you’re perfectly fine without bringing anything.

Should You Bring It Anyway? Here Are the Pros and Cons

Even though you don’t need to bring your own harness, some people prefer to. So let’s talk about the upside—and the downside—based on real life.

👍 Pros of Bringing Your Own Harness

1. You become familiar with your own setup

Every harness fits differently. Some ride up. Some have stiff straps. Some are designed for small frames, others for big guys with dad bods.

Training gives you a chance to learn the quirks of your gear.

2. You get free feedback from the instructor

Trainers love checking equipment.
If your harness has issues, they’ll spot it instantly:

• expired labels
• UV damage
• worn stitching
• rusty buckles
• missing serial tags

You’d be surprised how many people didn’t know their harness was already unsafe.

3. You can test the fit properly

A harness that fits you is way safer than one you’re guessing on.

👎 Cons of Bringing Your Own Harness

1. If your harness is unsafe, the trainer won’t let you use it

And trust me—they are strict about this.

2. You might bring gear that isn’t allowed

Like:

• position-only belts
• cheap off-brand harnesses
• Amazon specials with “no label, no problem”—actually a big problem
• gear not rated for fall arrest

3. It can be bulky and annoying to carry

Especially if you’re commuting or taking public transport.

So honestly, unless you really want to bring it, there’s nothing wrong with showing up without one.

What Training Centers Usually Provide (and Why It’s Better)

Most good training providers will give you everything you need—and they’ll inspect it before class. Here’s what they usually hand out:

• Full-body harnesses (cleaned and inspected)
• Shock-absorbing lanyards
• SRLs (self-retracting lifelines)
• Anchor systems
• Demo platforms for working at height
• Installation gear for practice

Instructors prefer this because they know:

• the equipment isn’t expired
• the equipment meets standards
• nobody will be using a frayed harness from 1992

And honestly, there’s nothing worse than stopping a class just to tell someone their harness belongs in a museum.

What NOT to Bring (Just Don’t Do These)

Let me save you from embarrassment and safety issues.

Don’t bring:

• A harness older than your first child
• Anything with missing or unreadable labels
• A harness with duct-taped straps
• Cheap knockoffs with “one size fits all” claims
• Gear that has clearly been sitting in a toolbox for 10 years
• Equipment used in conditions that caused visible wear

One time, I had a guy bring a harness that was so stiff from sun exposure it felt like it was made of cardboard. We wouldn’t even let him try it on.

How to Know If You’re Expected to Bring a Harness

Here’s the easiest way to find out:

1. Check your confirmation email

Training centers usually list what to bring.

2. Look at the course description

Some advanced courses specify “Bring your own PPE.”

3. Ask your safety manager or HR

If the company is paying, they might have rules.

4. If it’s on-site training

Assume you’ll be using employer gear.

5. If nothing is mentioned

You can safely assume equipment will be provided.

Most training centers are prepared for walk-ins wearing just jeans and work boots.

What Happens If You Show Up Without a Harness?

Simple answer: Nothing bad. You’ll be fine.

Training centers expect it. Many trainees show up with no gear at all. The instructor will just hand you a properly sized harness, show you how to wear it, and you’re good to go.

You will NOT:

• be sent home
• have to reschedule
• fail the course
• lose your chance to participate

They want you to complete the training just as much as you do.

If You Already Have a Harness: Should You Bring It for Inspection?

This is a smart move, actually.

If you already own a harness and you’re not sure if it’s still safe, bring it. Most trainers don’t mind taking a quick look. They’ll tell you:

• if it’s expired
• if the stitching is separating
• if UV exposure has damaged it
• if it’s rated for the work you do
• if it’s still acceptable for fall arrest

Think of it as a free safety check.

Do You Need to Buy Your Own Harness After Training?

This comes up a lot. And here’s the real answer:

NO — Your employer is required to provide fall protection PPE.

You shouldn’t have to buy:

• harnesses
• lanyards
• anchors
• SRLs

These are the employer’s responsibility.

But some workers prefer having their own harness because:

• they want a better fit
• they want higher-quality gear
• they don’t want to share sweaty harnesses
• they do side jobs or contract work

If that’s you, buying your own might make sense—but it’s not required.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Stress About the Harness

At the end of the day, here’s the best advice I can give you:

Don’t overthink the harness.

The training center has gear.
The instructor knows what you need.
And you won’t be the first person to walk in empty-handed.

If you want to bring your own harness, awesome—do it. It’s a good way to get it inspected and learn to adjust it properly. But if you don’t own one yet, or you’re not sure if yours is acceptable, you’re still going to be perfectly fine.

Believe me, if your biggest concern before class is whether you need to bring a harness, you’re already doing better than half the people I see show up five minutes late wearing steel-toe boots that still have yesterday’s mud on them.

Show up, pay attention, ask questions, and you’ll walk out confident in how to use a harness—whether it’s yours or theirs.