If you are an employee, your employer should supply you with whatever fall arrest gear you need to do your job along with the training to use that equipment properly. If you are being 1099ed, it is your responsibility to provide your own
safety equipment. A full fall arrest plan should be in place, including a rescue plan beyond calling the fire dept. to get that person back on the
ground safely.
There are instances where using your own
safety equipment can cause you to lose coverage from your work place. Ideally you want the employer to be completely responsible for your
safety. That way, if a piece fails, its not your fault, its the employers. However, if a piece of fall arrest gear fails, you probably won't be around anymore to argue on your behalf.
It is fairly common practice in our industry for people to own their own harness. This is usually due to comfort concerns. Rarely are the employer supplied ones anything more then the minimum required harness, therefore they are usually pretty uncomfortable.
If you are not being provided with anything, I would urge you to talk to your employer about it. Odds are more needs to be put in then just harness. You need to be sure you have proper anchors and arrest lines. You will also need to receive training on the gear and develop a rescue plan.
I own my own harness and use it at work. I use my company's
lanyard with the harness. Like I said before, I don't really care if I am covered or not if the harness fails, because I won't be around it the harness fails. The few places I have to use it in I am usually in it for many hours so the comfort thing is big. I own an
MSA Riggers/Rescue harness and love it.
All in all, I would rather see someone use their own harness then nothing at all. The law is on your side. If you feel you need one, you should be provided with it. However, don't get yourself killed because your employer won't provide you with one.
Also, with the really old harness... Harness certifications from most manufactures are no more then 5 years, no matter what. So, the old crusty, rusty harnesses should be replaced.