Access station for an automated storage and retrieval system

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:

• an access station for an automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the access station comprises:
• a frame structure;
• a drawer arranged in the frame structure and comprising a compartment for accommodating a goods holder,
• wherein the drawer is movable between a receiving position for receiving the goods holder from above where the drawer is retracted into the frame structure for preventing a user from accessing the compartment, and a picking position for presenting the goods holder to a user;
• and
• a blocker operational with the drawer for providing a safety zone above the receiving position,
• wherein the blocker is configured to block movement of the drawer located in the receiving position when an object is located in the safety zone, and
• wherein the blocker is configured to block movement of the object into the safety zone when the drawer is at least partly located outside the receiving position;
• a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent access openings;
• a storage section comprising a plurality of goods holders arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system,
• wherein each storage column is located vertically below one of the plurality of access openings;
• at least one port column located beneath the rail system and vertically aligned with a receiving position of the access station, the at least one port column being void of goods holders;
• and
• a container handling vehicle comprising a gripping device for lifting goods holders stored in the columns above the storage section and drive means configured to drive the vehicle along the rail system in at least one of the first direction and the second direction.