The invention discloses a work layer coating of a steel casting tundish, which comprises the following raw materials in weight parts by proportion: 64 parts of forsterite, 31.5 parts of sintered magnesite, 2.5 parts of silicon micro-powder, 1 part of paper fiber, 0.5 part of sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.3 part of canary dextrin, 0.2 part of white mud, 0.01 part of anti-explosion fiber, 0.0013 part of sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.001 part of aluminum powder. The work layer coating of the steel casting tundish, obtained in the invention, has enhanced folding and compressive strength and good high-temperature usability, and when applied to the tundish, the invention can achieve the effects of good smearing property, no phenomena of back-falling, flowing, bubbling, no phenomena of bursting and peeling during roasting, good corrosion resistance to alkali covering agent, strong molten steel flushing resistance, no deterioration of wrapping wall, and no pollution to the molten steel, thereby effectively meeting the working requirements on the rtundish and prolonging the service life.